How To Install Basement Egress Windows (page 2 of 4)

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Basement Egress Windows: Prepare For a Big Project

Installing a basement egress window and building a window well are two projects that go hand in hand. In our March issue, we’ll give you the dirty details on digging and installing the terraced window well. Both projects are big. Allow at least three full days for each, plus time for finishing the interior. Hiring a contractor to install an egress window and window well like the ones shown will cost from $6,000 to $8,000. If you do the projects yourself, expect to spend $1,500 on materials, tool rental and refuse container fees.

Good Planning Simplifies The Job
First, find the best location and size for the window. Consider: (1) which wall offers the best light; (2) the effect on the exterior look of the home; and (3) the obstacles you’ll have to deal with for a particular location.

The best natural light comes from the east first and then the south. An eastern window offers rich morning light, while a southern window provides more even light year-round. We centered our egress window beneath a large bow window on the front of the house (facing east). This placement maintained the balanced look of the front of the home, though the window was not centered on the wall of our new basement room.

Check for obstacles such as buried utilities, shrubbery, indoor wiring and ductwork. The more stuff you have to move or work around, the more complex, time-consuming and expensive the project becomes. Always call for buried utility marking so you don’t hit or interfere with water, gas, electrical, cable or sewer lines when you dig your well. Then visit a window dealer or home center and pick up a manufacturer’s brochure listing window sizes to help plan and size your window.

CAUTION: Avoid putting an egress window near a walkway unless you provide a substantial barrier to prevent falls into the well.

One key factor that can limit window size is the size of the beam (called a header) that you have to install when you remove a section of your foundation wall. If you’re installing a small window (less than 48 in. wide) in a wall that runs parallel to the floor joists, you probably won’t need the extra support of a header. But if you install the window in a load-bearing wall (perpendicular to the floor joists;), consult a structural engineer or architect (both listed in your Yellow Pages) to determine the header size.

Take a sketch of your plan to your local building inspector’s office to obtain a permit for the project. Local code officials should be familiar with local issues and can help you with details.

Prevent Moisture Trouble - Establish Good Drainage
Any time you install an egress window below ground, you have to ensure good drainage. If your basement has ever had moisture problems, take these steps:

Make sure existing gutters and downspouts are clean and drain water away from the house. If necessary, install new gutters.
Check the grade of the slope around your foundation walls. It should be 1/2 in. per foot at least 10 to 12 ft. out from the foundation wall.
Make sure the drainage system is in good repair. Many homes have a drainage system around the footing of the foundation walls that sends excess water to a sump pump or exterior drain. If you have such a system and your soil has a high clay content, create a gravel drainage path below your window well to tie into this system.
If you’ve had moisture or flooding problems, consult a water-proofing specialist before adding a below-ground window. Check the Yellow Pages under “Waterproofing Contractors.”